Music Production
Bootcamp
If you’re looking to start producing electronic dance music it can be a daunting and somewhat confusing journey with so many differing opinions and advice.
We’ve been successful for over 30 years, so let us walk you through everything you need to know about the equipment, how to compose and produce the music, and how to forge a career in this profession.
Apply NowKnowing where to start is half the battle
We’ve all been there. You’ve made the decision that you want to change your career to something that you’ve always wanted to do, and that can also pay the bills. But where and how do you start?
Everyone has advice on what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing and unfortunately most of this advice is from those who are still stuck in their bedrooms, charging you for advice on how to wind up stuck exactly where they are, or they’re using websites featuring stock photos of someone else’s studio (sometimes ours).
To quote the old adage
“Take at close look at your instructor, because they can only teach you to be where they are now”
We run the worlds leading Apple certified EDM focused studio (Altar Studios), we’ve produced records for artists that accrued millions of views on YouTube, we wrote the world leading textbook on EDM production, we’ve mixed and mastered for many professional labels and we’ve held talks on EDM across the world.
In our 10 month step-by-step course, you can talk with a leading professional and learn everything you need to know about starting and making a career in this industry, just like we have.
We’ll strip away the mystery and illusion behind music production and introduce everything from the concepts of DAW’s, audio interfaces and speakers, through to how to create a basic track from scratch, mix and master it, and what it takes to really make it in the industry.
By the end of the course, you’ll understand DAWs, processing, effects, the basics of how to write and produce electronic dance music, how to mix and master your music, and you’ll walk away with a track mastered by an Apple certified mastering engineer.
THE BOOTCAMP
What to expect
Join Rick and his 30+ years experience for 10 months of intensive training, consisting of videos and group sessions. Working with an experienced professional speeds up your learning.
Additional hours of personal one to one training that is reviewed with your mentor monthly to ensure that you have mastered the basics.
Receive free membership to our ear training platform, ProAudioEars to develop and improve your listening skills.
Access to 300+ hours of how to video tutorials to watch at your pace over 6 months, covering different genres, techniques and abilities.
Access to a dedicated learning to listen platform for 12 months to develop your listening skills alongside the opportunity to interact with your peers on a community group.
A structured and personal learning course to introduce you to everything you need to know about making music and building a career in this industry.
How the course works
1
Modules
The course consists of eight core modules, with each core consisting of videos and direct mentoring focusing on learning the most important disciplines.
2
Learn to Listen
You’ll receive 12 months free membership to our ProAudioEars, our website designed to train and develop your listening skills.
3
The Work Schedule
All of your sessions are booked in advance and you will receive the complete schedule before the course starts so you can confirm or change any conflicts.
4
Personal Mentors
Every module has a monthly group and one to one meetings with instructors where you’ll learn and discuss the core concepts to level up your learning process.
5
Self Study
At the end of each module you will be handed self-study assignments to complete which is then reviewed at the following sessions with your instructor.
6
Your Career
By the end of the course, you’ll understand all the basics of how to write and produce electronic dance music, alongside how to mix and master the music.
Course Requirements
This course is designed for those new to music production. You will require a computer (PC or Mac), a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), an audio interface and headphones or monitor speakers. You can use the processors and effects that come free with your DAW, but depending on your DAW, you may need to invest in some software synthesisers and further plug-ins. If you need further advice on this, use the contact page to talk to us before applying.
NOTE: The first module of this course discusses the basic requirements so if you do not own a DAW, audio interface or monitors, these are covered in the first module and you will have time to purchase and set-up before the second module.
You will require a webcam, microphone and zoom installed on the computer for the group and one-to-one sessions. You will also require a subscription to audiomovers. This is a software plugin that works with DAWs permitting you to transmit high quality audio via the internet. We require this to hear your work and progress.
EDM Bootcamp
The layout
This is a great place to start if you are completely new to producing music, have never written a track before or you are only ever making loops and want to move your production forward. This 10-month course will provide you with a solid foundation on the equipment to use, alongside how to write and produce a track, mix it and finish the course with your track mastered by an apple approved mastering engineer.
Basic Skill Development
This first module introduces the basic skillsets and requirements for producing electronic dance music. You’ll learn about DAW’s, audio interfaces, monitors, acoustics, headphones, and some basic skills that you’ll rely on for the rest of your career.
By the end of this module, you’ll know how to choose a DAW, headphones, monitors, audio interfaces and how to begin developing your basic skillsets.
Developing Groove
For this module we’ll look at the foundations of groove in dance music. You’ll learn why kick drums are so important, how to design them, some basic music theory and how to compose a bass groove that compliments your kick.
By the end of this module you’ll know how to create and design kick drums and how to program a basic groove that the rest of the track will rely on.
Sound Design Elements
For the third module, you’ll learn about the different forms of synthesis and basic sound design elements. You’ll learn the basics of analogue, wavetable and frequency modulation synthesis, and how to use each of these to design sounds, including the bass.
At the end of this module you’ll be able to create sounds using frequency modulation, analogue synthesis and wavetable synthesis. You’ll use these skills to design the bass for the previous groove and also in further lessons.
Developing the Drums
With the basic groove of the music written, this module concentrates on creating and programming the additional percussion. You’ll further develop your drum skills by programming snares, hi-hats, cymbals and crashes. Using a mix of synthesis, sample manipulation and an overview of some effects and processing we can complete the drums and groove of the record.
At the end of this module you’ll know how to program the percussive elements and how to use a number of effects and processors to make the drums punchy and lively, alongside making the low end of the record gel together.
Leads
While groove forms the foundation of electronic dance music, the leads are often used to back up the groove. In this module we will examine how to write, design and program lead instruments for the track.
By the end of this module you’ll have an understanding of how to compose and design lead instruments.
Arranging and Effects
With the basic idea of the track laid out, this module examines how to arrange the loop into a full track. We examine techniques such as automation, recapitulation and development alongside the use of risers, falls, cymbal crashes and various effects through synthesis, sampling and recording.
By the end of the course you’ll know how to build a track from limited instrumentation, and have a complete track arrangement ready to prepare for mixing and mastering.
Mixing and Mastering
With the track written and arranged, in this module we’ll look at mixing and mastering the music. We’ll discuss mixing on monitors and headphones, how to use EQ, compression, delay and reverb to create a sense of space, the importance of automation and then how to approach mastering.
By the end of this module, you’ll know how to approach both mixing and mastering and you’ll also have your track mastered by an Apple certified mastering engineer, ready to send to a label.
Career options
For the final part of the course, you’ll learn about the different career options available to you, how you can begin to see an income quickly, how to work with labels, what you really need to know about the industry and how to tell if advice is good or bad.
By the end of the course you’ll be fully prepared to begin your journey. You’ll know the basics of music production, how to write a track and how to approach both mixing and mastering for release.
- Learn how to create electronic dance music
- Build your own track and learn the techniques
- Supporting videos to watch at your own pace.
- Your music mastered by an apple approved engineer
- Attend group & personalised mentoring by professionals
- Free membership to ProAudioEars ear training platform
- Free access to a further 300+ hours of video
- Learn how to make an income from your career